Journal of Functional Foods (Sep 2022)

Effects of tocotrienol on osteocyte-mediated phosphate metabolism in high-carbohydrate high-fat diet-induced osteoporotic rats

  • Sok Kuan Wong,
  • Nur Irdina Adlin Fikri,
  • Karthikgeyan Munesveran,
  • Nur Syaqeerah Nor Hisham,
  • Shirley Hui Jin Lau,
  • Kok-Yong Chin,
  • Nur Azlina Mohd Fahami,
  • Qodriyah Hj Mohd Saad,
  • Yusof Kamisah,
  • Azman Abdullah,
  • Norliana Masbah,
  • Soelaiman Ima-Nirwana

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 96
p. 105213

Abstract

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The potential of osteocyte-mediated phosphate homeostasis as a molecular link between metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the osteocyte lacunar network, levels of osteocyte-specific molecules and phosphate in high-carbohydrate high-fat (HCHF) diet-fed osteoporotic rats with/without treatment of tocotrienol. The HCHF-fed rats had higher empty lacunae numbers, lower osteocyte numbers, dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 (DMP1), and phosphate-regulating gene with homologies to endopeptidase on the X chromosome (PHEX) levels than the normal rats. Treatment with 100 mg/kg annatto tocotrienol significantly reduced empty lacunae numbers in the HCHF-fed rats. No changes in osteocyte number, DMP1, and PHEX levels between the tocotrienol-treated and vehicle-treated HCHF rats. Bone and serum phosphate levels were similar across all the groups. In conclusion, there are reductions in osteocyte numbers and expression of osteocyte-specific molecules in the HCHF diet-induced osteoporotic rats, but these changes are not reversed by the treatment with tocotrienol.

Keywords